Child sexual abuse scandal cast long shadow over Francis’s papacy

The Boston Globe's 2002 exposé on child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church set off a series of scandals that dogged Pope Francis for years, as his leadership failed to deliver decisive action against abusers and cover-ups. Despite high-profile cases like the Pennsylvania report and widespread protests during his tenure, the Church remained complicit, with bishops often avoiding accountability. In his final days, survivors called for urgent systemic change, warning of a culture resistant to reforms that prioritize justice over tolerance.